Prince Charles: The Oldest Waiting Heir

On November 14, 2008, Prince Charles celebrated his 60th birthday. As his peers begin to reach retirement, Prince Charles has become the oldest British monarch-in-waiting. (The next oldest was Queen Victoria's son, King Edward VII, who was 59 years and two months old when he became king.) Although Prince Charles may be the oldest British monarch-in-waiting, he has not yet waited the longest. Since Prince Charles was four-years old when his mother became queen, he has waited 56 years, while King Edward VII waited 59 years.